In a bold assertion, President Donald Trump claims that Chinese leader Xi Jinping reached out to him directly amid escalating tensions over trade tariffs. This announcement comes despite China adamantly denying any recent contact between the two nations.

During an exclusive interview with TIME Magazine, Trump stated, "He's called," addressing concerns about the trade dispute that has become increasingly contentious. However, he refrained from sharing any specific details about the timing or content of the alleged conversation.

In response to Trump's claim, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong firmly proclaimed, "I would like to emphasise that there are currently no economic and trade negotiations between China and the US." This stark contrast highlights the growing rift between the world's two largest economies.

The ongoing trade battle has led to imposing tariffs on a plethora of Chinese goods, with rates soaring as high as 145%. This aggressive stance by Trump, intended as retribution for perceived unfair trade practices, raises concerns not only about economic stability but also about the potential for a global recession.

Looking ahead, Trump hinted at upcoming agreements with US trading partners, stating, "I would say, over the next three to four weeks, and we're finished, by the way." He also indicated that a threshold existed that would make China comfortable, but emphasized, "you can't let them make a trillion dollars on us." As tensions persist, the world watches closely to see how these developments will unfold.